Queen Eleanor was a sick woman and sick just like to die
And she has sent for two friars of France to come to her speedily

The King has called his nobles all, by one, by two, by three
“Earl Marshal, I'll go shrive the Queen and thou shalt wend with me”

“Oh no, oh no,” cried Earl Marshal, “such things can never be
For if the Queen should get word of this then hanged I would be!”

“I swear by the sun, I swear by the moon, and by the stars on high
And by my sceptre and my crown, Earl Marshal shall not die!”

So the King's put on a grey friar's gown and the Earl's put on another
And they are gone to fair London town like friars both together.

And when they came before the Queen, they fell on bended knee
“What matter, what matter, our gracious Queen, you've called so speedily?”

“Oh, if you are two friars of France, it's you I wish to see
But if you are two English lords, then hanged you shall be!”

“Oh, we are not two English lords, but friars both are we
And we sang the Song of Solomon as we came all o'er the sea.”

“Oh, the first vile sin I did commit I now will tell to thee
I fell in love with the Earl Marshal as he brought me o'er the sea.”

“Oh, that was a vile sin,” said the King, “may God forgive it thee!”
“Amen, amen,” said the Earl Marshal, with a heavy heart spake he

“Oh, the next vile sin I did commit I will to you unfold:
Earl Marshal had my virgin dower beneath this gown of gold”

“Oh, that was a vile sin,” said the King, “may God forgive it thee!”
“Amen, amen,” said the Earl Marshal, for a frightened man was he.

“Oh, don't you see two yonder little boys a-playing at the ball:
Oh, that one is Earl Marshal's son and I like him the best of all.

“Oh, don't you see yon other little boy a-playing at the ball:
Oh, that one is King Henry's son and I like him the worst of all

“His head is like a black boar's head, his feet are like a bear”
“What matter, what matter,“ cried the King, ”he's my son and my only heir!”

And the King pulled off his grey friar's smock and stood in his scarlet so red
Queen Eleanor turned in her bed and cried that she was betrayed

And the King looked o'er his left shoulder and a grim look looked he
“Oh, Earl Marshal, but for my oath, then hanged you would be!”